Bet you thought I wasn't coming back, didncha? Bwahaha! Seriously, though, the last batch was pretty much the same brand I've already reviewed a bunch of, so I figured adding in a couple new bras by the same manufacturer that fit like the rest of their bras do would be a bit overkill. Also, it's been a really busy winter/spring.
Still, that time of year is rolling around again--the time when my boulder holders are wearing out and starting to hurt my shoulders. I've also noticed lately that the girls keep trying to escape, so a size a adjustment may be needed, too. God knows why--my weight's held steady. My best guess is that as I've gone up in the cup, more of my breast tissue is sitting on my chest where it should be instead of getting smooshed around my sides.
Now, the last batch I ordered consisted of Parfait by Affinitas bras in a 32G (
Charlotte,
Fiona, and
Kimberly, if you're curious. That last one fit a bit tighter than usual for the brand). Since the girls keep trying to escape, I thought I might try going up a cup size, but, unfortunately, Parfait tops out at a UK G. I looked at some of the other brands, but they seem to get increasingly expensive and the color selection drops dramatically after G.
So I decided to take the plunge and try a polish designer I've heard good things about--
Ewa Michalak. I only ordered two to start with, because money's a bit tight and if I was going to have to return anything I didn't want to have a whole lot tied up in it. They have a wide variety of sizes (no seriously, and if they don't have it, they can make it) and styles, and they even have notes about how each style fits (i.e. this one pushes up, this one pushes in, etc.). The site can be a bit tricky to navigate if you accidentally wander into the polish section, but overall it's pretty easy to find what you're looking for. I love how they have a variety of models to show you how the bras will look on a real human being--they have a little model, and an average one, and a holy shit those things are huge one. Also worth noting is that while their size calculator is in metric (25.4 mm to 1 in), the drop down menus to select your size do have the imperial units on them.
I'd heard they ran on the tight side--when you measure for your band with their calculator, you want to measure TIGHT (like, you might want to stop breathing for a minute tight). I sort guessed at what I needed, and opted for a 32GG (70GG), which was a smaller band than the calculator recommended.
They seem to recommend the plunge style for larger busts, so I decided to order the PL Carmen and the PL Ametyst. I really liked the sexy/cute look of these two, and the Carmen is being discontinued, so it was also cheaper.
PL Carmen
PL Ametyst
Now, the chief complaint I've heard from this cut is that you wind up with your boobs under your chin. Personally, I've never had this problem with a plunge, but then again I like a strong firm support under the girls and don't mind making my fabulous cleavage even more amazing.
Anywho, paypal worked out the exchange between zlotys and USD and with shipping, it came out to about $96--not bad, considering most bras in my size run about $50 ($40 on a really good day) and I shipped it from Poland (Seriously, I've paid more for stuff shipped domestically). I also found the various status emails written with an eastern European accent delightful (No, really, if not for some ancestors of mine moving stateside, I'd have an eastern European accent, too).
The return policy seems a bit strict--10 days, but I checked and that's from when you receive it, and when it's postmarked, so that's not really that bad (I worried, because it takes longer for international shipping). I will also say, they shipped relatively quick--a week or so.
And of course, that brings us to today, when they actually arrived. Fresh out of the box, they looked pretty close to the right size, and they were absolutely gorgeous. Magically enough, my best guess was just right and they fit remarkably well. They're soft and comfy, too. The don't have any side boning, like most of the others you find in this size range, which was an unexpected pleasure (I've found that as my previous bras wear, the boning beings to poke me in a most unpleasant manner). Now, I will say, once I got the girls situated, I did have the," Damn those things are huge," moment when I looked down, but well, they are, and it was nice to see them held up the way they should be.
The Carmen has removable pads (most Ewa Michalak bras do, so you can correct for asymmetry), but it fits well with them in there, and well, I don't really care. It'd be a good selling point for girls who are between cup sizes or asymmetrical. The Ametyst actually provides even more lift--the most amazing thing is the effortless way the bras seem to accomplish that, too. Also, while they're made with the traditional powernet in the back, they don't seem as stretchy as other bras I've seen, which should improve how they wear. Ask me if they still feel good in six months.
All in all, I'm glad I finally took the plunge and placed an order with them, and I look forward to ordering more from this company.
UPDATE 5-14-13:
Having gone all day with each bra, they don't give quite as much support as I'd expected, and I found the straps to be a bit on the short side. I suspect if I went down to a 30 in the band I'd get better support, but I don't think the straps would be long enough. I'll still wear them, but I don't think now is the time for this brand for me. I think I'm going to go back with Parfait--I feel like I could get a better fit, but the size I'd have to go with (depending on brand I'd probably need around a 30H, since Parfait runs small in the band), the alternatives are ugly and/or really expensive. My 32G's from Parfait are good enough for now, and at this point I just want my shoulders to stop hurting so much. I know new bras that aren't all stretched out should give me the support I need.
